Europese Commissie brengt Luxemburg voor EU Hof voor onvolledig omzetten richtlijn energieprestatie gebouwen (en)

The European Commission today launched Court proceedings against Luxemburg for failure to notify adequate national implementing measures as required by the 2002 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive[1]. The Directive aims at reducing energy consumption in buildings and thus plays an important part in improving overall energy efficiency.

The Commission already sent Luxemburg a letter of formal notice in February 2006, and a reasoned opinion in October 2006, urgently requesting the Grand Duchy to notify the transposition measures required by the Directive. Luxemburg has not yet informed the Commission of any legislation that constitutes a complete transposition of Art. 3-6 of the Directive and they did not yet adopt legislation covering the non-residential buildings sector.

Thus far, the Grand Duchy has conceded that it has only partially transposed the Directive.

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive obliges Member States to establish minimum energy performance requirements and energy performance certification schemes for buildings, as well as to ensure that heating and air conditioning installations are regularly inspected to enable performance improvements.

The building sector is responsible for 40% of Europe's total energy consumption. If implemented in full and on time, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive could contribute significantly to reducing energy consumption. The buildings sector has a cost-effective energy saving potential of almost 30%. On 16 October, the European Heads of State and Government have confirmed their determination to honour the ambitious commitments on climate and energy policy which they had approved in March 2007 and March 2008. Full implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is undoubtedly one of the most cost-effective means to achieve this goal.

[1] Directive 2002/91/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2002 on the energy performance of buildings, Official Journal L 001, 04/01/2003 P. 0065 – 0071